[Order 24-207—Filed September 25, 2024, 3:19 p.m., effective September 25, 2024, 3:19 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to provide for treaty Indian fishing opportunity in the Columbia River while protecting salmon listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule making implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes and federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-359-02000I; and amending WAC 220-359-020.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

Other Authority: United States v. Oregon, Civil No. 68-513-KI (D. Or.), Order Adopting 2018-2027 United States v. Oregon Management Agreement (February 26, 2018) (Doc. No. 2607-1). Northwest Gillnetters Ass'n v. Sandison, 95 Wn.2d 638, 628 P.2d 800 (1981); Washington fish and wildlife commission policies concerning Columbia River fisheries; 40 Stat. 515 (Columbia River Compact).

Reasons for this Finding: This rule sets the 2024 Columbia River treaty fall season commercial fisheries for nontreaty buyers. This rule is consistent with actions of the Columbia River Compact on July 18, August 14, September 4, September 10, September 18, and September 25, 2024. Conforms state rules with tribal rules. The general public welfare is protected with the immediate opening of nontreaty buyers purchasing fish from treaty fisheries. This harvest opportunity allows for the tribal use and public access to the resource as well as the maintenance of sustainable fish populations. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent regulations.

The Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce Indian tribes have treaty fishing rights in the Columbia River and inherent sovereign authority to regulate their fisheries. Washington and Oregon also have some authority to regulate fishing by treaty Indians in the Columbia River, authority that the states exercise jointly under the congressionally ratified Columbia River Compact. Sohappy v. Smith, 302 F. Supp. 899 (D. Or. 1969). The tribes and the states adopt parallel regulations for Treaty Indian fisheries under the supervision of the federal courts. A court order sets the current parameters. United States v. Oregon, Civil No. 68-513-KI (D. Or.), Order Adopting 2018-2027 United States v. Oregon Management Agreement (February 26, 2018) (Doc. No. 2607-1). Some salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River are listed as threatened or endangered under ESA. On February 23, 2018, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a biological opinion under 16 U.S.C. § 1536 that allows for some incidental take of these species in the fisheries as described in the 2018-2027 U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement.

Columbia River fisheries are monitored very closely to ensure consistency with court orders and ESA guidelines. Because conditions change rapidly, the fisheries are managed almost exclusively by emergency rule. As required by court order, the Washington (WDFW) and Oregon (ODFW) departments of fish and wildlife convene public hearings and invite tribal participation when considering proposals for new emergency rules affecting treaty fishing rights. Sohappy, 302 F. Supp. at 912. WDFW and ODFW then adopt regulations reflecting agreements reached.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: September 25, 2024.

WAC 220-359-02000JColumbia River salmon seasons above Bonneville Dam.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-359-010, WAC 220-359-020, WAC 220-359-030, and WAC 220-359-090, it is unlawful for a person to take or possess salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch taken for commercial purposes in Columbia River Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 1F, 1G, and 1H. However, those individuals possessing treaty fishing rights under the Yakima, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce treaties may fish for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch under the following provisions:

(1) Open Areas: SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H (Zone 6)

(a) Season: Immediately through 6:00 PM September 28

6:00 AM September 30 through 6:00 PM October 4

6:00 AM October 7 through 6:00 PM October 11

(b) Gear: Set and Drift Gill nets with an 8-inch minimum mesh size through September 28. Effective September 30 through October 11, no mesh size restriction.

(c) Allowable sale: Salmon (any species), steelhead, shad, yellow perch, bass, walleye, catfish and carp may be sold or retained for subsistence. Sturgeon may not be sold, but sturgeon from 38 to 54 inches fork length in the Bonneville Pool and sturgeon from 43 to 54 inches fork length in The Dalles and John Day Pools may be kept for subsistence purposes.

(d) Standard sanctuaries applicable to gillnet gear. The small Spring Creek Hatchery sanctuary (150-feet around the hatchery ladder) is in place effective immediately through October 4.

(2) Open Areas: SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H (Zone 6)

(a) Season: Immediately, until further notice.

(b) Gear: Hoop nets/bag nets, dip nets, and rod and reel with hook and line.

(c) Allowable sale: Salmon (any species), steelhead may be sold or kept for subsistence. Shad, yellow perch, bass, walleye, catfish and carp may also be sold or retained for subsistence. Sturgeon may not be sold, but sturgeon from 38 to 54 inches fork length in the Bonneville Pool and sturgeon from 43 to 54 inches fork length in The Dalles and John Day Pools and may be kept for subsistence purposes.

(d) Standard river mouth and dam sanctuary closures remain in place for this gear.

(3) Open Areas: SMCRA 1E (area defined in tribal/state MOUs/MOAs)

(a) Season: Immediately, until further notice. Only during days and times opened under tribal rule.

(b) Gear: Hook and line and/or platform gear identified in tribal rules.

(c) Allowable sale: Salmon (any species), steelhead, shad, yellow perch, bass, walleye, catfish and carp may be sold or retained for subsistence. Sturgeon may not be retained in fisheries downstream of Bonneville Dam. Sales of fish are not authorized on COE property downstream of Bonneville Dam. Fish must be transported elsewhere for sale.

(4) Open Areas: Wind River, Drano Lake, and Klickitat River.

(a) Season: Immediately, until further notice, and only during those days and hours when the areas are open under lawfully enacted Yakama Nation tribal subsistence fishery regulations for enrolled Yakama Nation members.

(b) Gear: Hoop Nets/Bag Nets, Dip Nets, and Rod and reel with hook and Line. Gillnets may only be used in Drano Lake.

(c) Allowable sale: Salmon (any species), steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, and yellow perch. Sturgeon from 38 to 54 inches fork length in the Bonneville Pool may be kept for subsistence.

(5) 24-hour quick reporting is required for Washington wholesale dealers for all areas as provided in WAC 220-352-315, except that all landings from treaty fisheries described above must be reported within 24-hours of completing the fish ticket (not 24-hours after the period concludes).

(6) Fish caught during the open period may be sold after the period concludes.

Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:

Columbia River salmon seasons above Bonneville Dam. (24-193)